Five ILH teams finish season in volleyball Top 10

'Iolani's Elena Oglivie put down a D-I state final record 28 kills in a sweep of Kamehameha on Saturday to earn the Raiders their second state championship in three years. Photo by Jay Metzger/Special to the Star-Advertiser.

State champion ‘Iolani and state runner-up Kamehameha finished in the top two spots in the final Honolulu Star-Advertiser Girls Volleyball Top 10 released today.

The Warriors had been No. 1 and ‘Iolani No. 2 every week of the season until the Raiders’ sweep in Saturday’s state championship match. ‘Iolani junior Elena Oglivie, the tournament’s most outstanding player, had a record 28 kills in a D-I state final and finished the tournament with 80 kills, 45 digs, seven block assists and two aces in 13 sets played.

Kamehameha beat ‘Iolani in five of seven matches played during the course of the season.

They were joined by three more ILH teams in the final rankings, which included much debate from all of the voters from Nos. 3-10.

OIA champion Mililani, which defeated Kahuku in three sets in the third-place game, jumped a spot to No. 3, ahead of King Kekaulike, which fell to No. 6 after going 0-2 in the tournament.

The Trojans were ranked third on four ballots and fifth on two ballots. They also received one ninth-place vote.

MIL champion King Kekaulike, which was the third seed in the state tournament, ended up playing ‘Iolani in its opening game. Na Alii was the only team to take a set off the Raiders at states, but fell in four sets and were then swept by Kamehameha-Hawaii in a consolation match.

King Kekaulike was ranked in the top five on five ballots but also ninth on two ballots and left off of one ballot completely.

OIA runner-up Kahuku finished fourth in the state tournament and was fourth in the final Top 10, ahead of No. 5 Punahou.

KS-Hawaii finished No. 7, ahead of Division II state champion Sacred Hearts by a single vote. The Warriors defeated Waianae in five, swept King Kekaulike in two close sets and beat Moanalua in three sets in the state tournament. They lost in four to the Trojans in the quarterfinals and finished the season at 19-2 with the other loss coming to Hilo in the BIIF title game.

The Vikings dropped out of the Top 10 after losing to Kahuku in three and Moanalua in two at states.

Le Jardin, which lost to Sacred Hearts in the D-II final, jumped back into the rankings at No. 9, ahead of No. 10 Moanalua.

Sacred Hearts defeated Konawaena, ILH regular season champion Mid-Pacific, Waimea and Le Jardin in consecutive days to win states after placing fourth in the ILH regular season.

One voter had seven ILH teams listed in the top seven.

Honolulu Star-Advertiser Top 10

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

Updated: Oct. 29

Rk

Team

Pts

1.

'Iolani (10)

100

2.

Kamehameha

90

3.

Mililani

67

4.

Kahuku

52

5.

Punahou

50

6.

King Kekaulike

43

7.

KS-Hawaii

39

8.

Sacred Hearts

38

9.

Le Jardin

23

10.

Moanalua

21

COMMENTS

Falcon Future
October 29, 2018 2:40 pm

This is now 16 years in a row that the D1 championship was ILH vs. ILH and four years in a row that the D2 championship was ILH vs. ILH. If this is not the sign of a broken system, I don’t know what is.

Rich
October 29, 2018 2:51 pm

The OIA needs to create a stronger presence in the middle and elementary schools. The top ILH schools start their programs in the 4th grade and build from the bottom up. The OIA schools don’t have that kind of advantage. I coach for a small private school and most of my 8th grade graduates end up at ILH schools even though the OIA schools are good academically. Many see the weak athletic program and decide to go somewhere they can get stronger competition. I want to see stronger teams out of the OIA and I believe that if they go cross league play, like in football, it will force the OIA schools to reevaluate their programs and build up their younger kids.

Tia Thompson (Kahuku’s Asst. Coach)
October 29, 2018 2:57 pm

@Falcon Future

Tonight is the OIA meeting for volleyball coaches. I will bring up the conversation of creating an Open Division for the top 3 ILH teams (Iolani, Kamehameha and Punahou) and the top 6 OIA teams (Kahuku, Mililani, Moanalua, Kapolei, Farrington and Waianae. This is the only way the OIA can compete with the ILH. Similar to football. The OIA needs the competition because the ILH tempo is to fast for girls volleyball. I as an assistant coach can provide only so much competition in practice however in game time, it’s different. I think this will spread out the competition day in and day out. Let’s see how it goes!

Pilau
October 29, 2018 3:38 pm

Congratulations to Iolani!

As a “die-hard” volleyball fan & KS alumni and employee I was disgusted by the immature and unprofessional conduct displayed by an individual who was later identified to me as Brandon Akana a father of KS team members. He yelled & screamed at coaches, players and officials continually throughout the match and on many occasions used foul language towards these individuals as well.

I hope someone in authority at KS witnessed this childish behavior and will do something about it.

Mr Akana should you see this, please grow up or do not wear any KS logo merchandise because you are not only embarrassing yourself and ohana but all who support KS, win lose or draw.

???
October 29, 2018 3:42 pm

The broken system and all ILH finals will continue as long as the ILH can RECRUIT..

The old saying, “you get what you pay for” is relevant to this situation. It’s unfortunate, but that’s all part of life and the injustices we face on a daily basis. The OIA complains because they can’t compete with the ILH. The BIIF, MIL, and KIF leagues struggle because they can’t compete with the OIA. Maybe the OIA can remedy by playing ILH schools, but it creates a bigger gap for outter islands who play against teams that are not even close to the DI caliber throughout the season. We live in HI, an island chain, where the Athletic trainers try to think about what’s best for all, not just Oahu. MIL and BIIF don’t have the same population as the OIA. These teams have less athletes to choose from. The ILH only gets 2 seeds for the DI state tournament. One team that is probably better than half the teams that qualify for States sits out. What can we do to make it fair for everyone in the state? Make only 1 ILH school qualify for DI since they only have 5 teams in DI? Make the ILH play all ILH regardless of division just once? Make a private school league and public schools never play private schools? Where does it end? It’s about the athletes. A school doesn’t win a title, but kids from that school become successful collegiate athletes, then the coach, parents and community did their job. A title, while nice, doesn’t make an athlete.

Tell it like it is
October 29, 2018 7:53 pm

Pilau, I was not at your game but I have also witnessed this same behavior from this person before.

Embarrassing to say the least.

It’s not just a game!
October 29, 2018 8:52 pm

There is only one thing I agree in regards to this article, and that is Pilaus comment!!! Well the first two rankings are correct.

Punahou should be ranked #3!

Why does King Kekaulike get so much attention? Whopty fricken do they took a set off of Iolani. They got killed on the last two sets of that match. Then they got swept by Kam Hawaii. So them being in Iolanis bracket for their first game wouldn’t have mattered because they would have lost to Kam Hawaii then. This is probably the most overrated team in the state. They should not even be in the top 10. I’m thinking that HPW has some kind of tie to the school. Makes no sense they are ranked higher then Kam Hawaii when they lost to them.

Losers
October 29, 2018 8:59 pm

HPW IS PATHETIC! Did I hit a nerve

sasa
October 30, 2018 12:27 am

Why should Punahou be #3? What have they done to earn that? They had 8 chances to beat Kamehameha or Iolani and failed in all attempts. They’re no better than Mililani and Kahuku. Punahou has not been the same team since 2014, and I’m sure everyone knows why.

Flat Tire
October 30, 2018 9:45 am

I don’t know why Punahou is no longer at the top or near the top. Please tell us what’s happening there.

Club VB!
October 30, 2018 10:20 am

In VB, it’s not so much about recruiting as it is about good learning experience. Those players who are more knowledgeable and experienced will prevail over those less so. This knowledge and experience is gained more through club play than during the school season simply because the club season is 8-9 months long versus the school season being only 3 months long, and kids can start playing club ball when they’re in the 5th/6th grade. But it’s not just any club, it’s a club with a knowledgable coach who teaches. After that it helps to have a school coach who knows how to use these experienced players. I’m sure all the top teams have players who all play club ball and Obrey and Blake both coach club ball and know how to use their players. SHA, for example, did not recruit their championship; five of the players on their team started playing club ball together when they were 11U/12U and 3 (all starters) of those 5 were already at SHA. Their club coach was himself very knowledgeable and experienced and gave them a solid foundation and their club team was very successful too. Iolani’s team is short, other than maybe a couple of them; nobody recruits short players; ditto for SHA. Outer islands have fewer clubs so less opportunity. OIA fans will claim ILH families have $ to pay for club but the SHA girls’ foundation club was one of the cheapest around. Just got to find the right club!

FACT!
October 30, 2018 12:35 pm

True, ILH dominates high school volleyball for all reasons previously mentioned. That being said, Punahou truly deserves the #3. The ILH not only dominates but is the toughest league for volleyball with only 2 going to the state tournament.

Just because an ILH team doesn’t make the state tournament doesn’t mean they’re not worthy. Maryknoll last year was a perfect example of this.

The are numerous JV teams in the ILH that could beat the top OIA varsity teams and that’s a fact.

Here’s a controversially remedy, have the Honolulu Star Advertiser create 2 state polls. 1 for D1 and 1 for D2. Whatever 12 teams from each poll are listed at the end of regular season, they go to the state tournament no matter what league they belong to. This way, you truly get the best teams in the tournament. I don’t believe it will happen in my life time.

I’m not a hater against non ILH schools. I graduated from an OIA school, work for an OIA school, have kids who played volleyball for an OIA school and also club ball but the facts are the facts.

Sim Sima
October 31, 2018 6:30 am

@ Pilau

File a formal complaint then. That’s incredibly weak of you to air out someone by name on a public message board and do it anonymously yourself. Parents all over this island up and down get hot-headed at games. I’ve seen parents drunk, escorted out of games yelling at coaches. Air it out the right way. That is chicken sh*t to do it on public comments like this and identify the person by name. That to me, “Hawaiian”, is pilau in its own right.

Wainakea
October 31, 2018 8:18 am

As Club VB! says, team sports with small numbers (Bball, VB, etc.) do really reflect club sport participation in my opinion. Of course talent makes a difference but what sets certain schools apart is the amount of experience the kids get from programs outside school. Kids on ILH teams plays with the same teammates from middle school to an extent. Another example is how the BIIF is strong in girls basketball and baseball because of opportunities outside of school. Konawaena might be the only school that would come to mind but check the other schools’ records; Waiakea, Hilo, Honoka’a, and KS-Hawaii have decent results considering the enrollment and the feeding community. I won’t take anything away from the coaches on those teams but club sports is what is building the foundation for them.

phILHarmonic
October 31, 2018 8:50 am

@ Sim Sima

Ive seen bruddah, its pretty bad.

Correction, its really bad.

One would think that he would hold himself to a higher standard being a public figure and all.

I think once began behaving like the way he does, he opened up himself to be blogged about.

#5cents

fafa
October 31, 2018 9:44 am

Tia Thompson, so what happened at the coaches meeting, are we going to have a open division for girls VB?

You guys who think Punahou should be #3 are crazy… I know they playing a top team. But you’ve got some handpicked talent too. You have multiple chances to beat a team and were unsuccessful every time. Kahuku and Mililani are taking their one shot. Who knows if they had 3 more chances how that may change things. They would get to be comfortable with who they were playing, learn what works/does not work. There is a huge advantage that Punahou has playing great teams and they aren’t able to capitalize.

Anyone know what Club VB is talking about with SHA club?

phILHarmonic
October 31, 2018 3:54 pm

I think thats the point. If Punahou couldnt do it, you guys wouldnt have a prayer……… but hey what do I know.

Falcon Future
October 31, 2018 4:29 pm

For those talking about the crazy parent … what exactly was going on?

The game was on TV and there was no mention or no camera angles to show anything out of line. I would think if this guy was making that big of a ruckus, he would draw the attention of cameras. Plus, if he was that bad, the security would remove him, no? This was a state tournament and I’m sure HHSAA officials wouldn’t just let a parent get away with full-on swearing at the coaches and refs. I didn’t see or hear anything about that.

Tia Thompson (Kahuku’s Asst. Coach)
October 31, 2018 7:20 pm

@ fafa

I really hope your screen name is not directed to me as being a trans women. I’m a PROUD māhūwāhine/fafafine, just saying. I’m the wrong person luvv. Anywho, the OIA coaches meeting went great! There were a few proposals sent to the OIA AD’s for discussion however when I brought up having 3 divisions, Open, D1 and D2 OIA/ILH merge, most of the coaches LOVED the idea however it was not voted on as a proposal for the ADs to review, only a discussion. I did tell everyone in attendance I was sick and tired of seeing an all ILH finals every year since 2003. The ILH is to fast at this time so we need to figure out a way to ge tot that level. The bottom line was money tho, for football, the ILH WANTED the merge per the person who coordinated the meeting that’s why we have the divisions for football, the ILH offered OIA money, how much, idk. The question came up wha tee would offer as to girls volleyball, my answer was playing different teams. I gave my proposal to my AD at Kahuku and she will pass it on to the OIA meeting with the ADs.

Tia Thompson (Kahuku’s Asst. Coach)
October 31, 2018 7:21 pm

Btw, EVERYONE should use their REAL NAMES when commenting, just saying!!! So IRRAZ!!!

Tia Thompson (Kahuku’s Asst. Coach)
October 31, 2018 7:24 pm

And as for Mr. Akana, I hope it isn’t true however I can understand the frustration of losing, but class and manners go a long way especially when you represent Kahuku as the Boys Basketball Coach. Anywho, RR4L!!!

phILHarmonic
November 1, 2018 8:50 am

Coach Thompson-

Is it normal practice for coaches to divulge information from these meetings on a public forum?
And is your head coach aware that you are disclosing this information?

phILHarmonic
November 1, 2018 8:51 am

Falcon-

You wasnt at the game?

I was. So stop.

sasa
November 1, 2018 9:07 am

Seems everyone thinks Punahou should be ranked 3 just because they play in the ILH. Their record was 4-8. They only won against Maryknoll, who is NOT GOOD this season, since they lost Jhenna, Rhyenne, Natalie, and Bella to graduation. Several OIA teams could’ve come in and have that same record. So why should Punahou be the #3 team? Had they beaten Kamehameha or Iolani once, I can see the argument. My point is, Punahou could very well be the third best team in the state, but there is nothing in their record, or in head to head games with OIA, that would indicate they should be ranked 3rd. I think they’re right there with Mililani and Kahuku, and I would’ve really liked to have seen them play. Agree with me or not, there’s no way to prove it. They’re fine at #5…HawaiiPrep got it right.

Also, on another note regarding the Kamehameha fan that was ‘outed’ for his cheering tactics. I was near him at the championship game, and honestly, I didn’t hear anything crazy that would warrant bringing it out on this forum. This is sports people, and every one cheers when they like or don’t like something. The Warrior fans that were getting the bad looks were the guys at the upper end of our section that was trying to belittle the Iolani cheers. Honestly, sitting on the Kamehameha side, I thought it was rather quiet compared to most games I’ve gone to. Anyway, wasn’t that big a deal to me.

Tia Thompson (Kahuku's Asst Coach)
November 1, 2018 10:33 am

@ phILHarmonic

Use your REAL name so I can address you correctly. These meetings aren’t a secret lol. Obviously you’re feeling some type of way maybe because you’re from the “ILH”. Anywho, I can share whatever information I feel like sharing if it’s to better the OIA or girls volleyball in general. Does that answer your question Mr/MS ILH? (insert rolls da makas emoji) Lol, NAILZ!

Tia Thompson (Kahuku's Asst Coach)
November 1, 2018 10:34 am

@ sasa

ON POINT!

phILHarmonic
November 1, 2018 12:30 pm

Im not as brave as you, thats for sure.

Why take it to private vs. public? Defensive much?

A colleague of mine coaches HS Volleyball and was strongly encouraged to not go on any social media or blogging sites. Said something about personal opinions or stances may be misconstrued as representing the school that he/she coaches at. Something about Professionalism.

Anywho, it does answer my question, thank you, oh, so much.

Falcon Future
November 1, 2018 1:43 pm

@sasa Thanks for the info in your second paragraph. That’s what I was asking for – more insight into the situation.

Loca1boiAnonymous
November 1, 2018 3:30 pm

Pilau went about doing that unprofessionally. Make your name known too if you’re going to out someone who is a well known name and a parent to players on a team in a comments section. I was at the game and I echo sasa’s comment that nothing that egregious happened so as to get all our bevadees in a bunch.

Tia Thompson (Kahuku Asst. Coach)
November 1, 2018 6:05 pm

@ phILHarmonic

Lol, it’s not about being brave, it’s about being adults and having a civil conversation. Maybe that’s an ILH thing, not going on social media or blogs to comment on sports articles or maybe not. I post about volleyball ALL the time on my Facebook whether it’s about me coaching or me bashing away on the court because it’s my right and I do it in a very tasteful way. My comments to this article are VERY professional and are not my own opinions but facts regarding volleyball topics. Btw, I will NEVER be defensive about volleyball, I only speak the truth because I’ve played this sport since 5 years old and I know pretty much everyone in the volleyball community or they know of me. Anywho, I have an Olympic women’s team to try out for come March/2019. If you have anymore questions feel free to message me on Facebook. Alohaz!

VB Parent
November 2, 2018 1:10 pm

IDK … seems like the team from the MIL (King Kekaulike) played the best game against IOLANI (2019 State Champs)…the only team to take a set off of IOLANI in the whole tournament and if I’m not mistaken the second highest finishing Hawaii team in the coveted Ann Kang tournament…but you don’t hear them grumbling. Just saying…put your head down and go to work….find ways to get better and stop blaming the ILH for winning.

notes
November 8, 2018 6:30 pm

Tia, as a fellow RRFL, I want to thank you for everything you do for our community and our kids. In my opinion, the only way to prevent an all ILH finals is for the HHSAA to pass a rule demanding that the ILH stop their rampant recruiting and blatant bending of the rules (players who are held back a year and graduate at 19). This is especially prevalent in football and I wonder how prevalent it is in other sports, like girls volleyball. It seems to me that when a group of schools have no district lines, and offer scholarships (basically, buying athletes), then it doesn’t matter how many times the OIA plays the ILH in the regular or post-season. The talent differential will always be there and the ILH will just recruit harder.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the Star-Advertiser's TERMS OF SERVICE. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. To report comments that you believe do not follow our guidelines, email hawaiiprepworld@staradvertiser.com.